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College Football 2016: 25 bold predictions

By Nathaniel Reeves

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Jim Mora of the UCLA Bruins walks the sidelines in a game against the Utah Utes during the second half of a college football game at Rice Eccles Stadium on November 21, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah. UCLA defeated 17-9. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Jim Mora of the UCLA Bruins walks the sidelines in a game against the Utah Utes during the second half of a college football game at Rice Eccles Stadium on November 21, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah. UCLA defeated 17-9. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) /

17. Jim Mora and UCLA turn in another disappointing season

Mora has largely done an excellent job since taking over at UCLA in 2012, both on the field and in recruiting. The Bruins are still looking to get to the next level with a conference championship or New Year’s Six appearance under Mora, and will face a challenge to get there in 2016.

UCLA struggled throughout the Rick Neuheisel era, winning seven games just once. Mora turned things around right away with a 9-5 campaign and Pac-12 South championship in his first year.

What followed was a pair of 10-3 seasons, including a No. 10 finish in the AP Poll in 2014. With highly-touted quarterback Josh Rosen coming in, the Bruins checked in at No. 13 in the polls prior to to 2015 season, and rose as high as No. 7 early on.

Rosen was impressive, but UCLA slipped all the way to 8-5 last year. The Bruins continued to struggle against top competition, and were blown out by Stanford and USC.

A similar story could play out this year, as the Bruins are ranked 16th to start the year. Replacing running back Paul Perkins and three of the top four receivers is going to present some problems, and the Bruins have to face Texas A&M, BYU and Stanford all in the first four weeks of the season.

With that schedule, another 8-5 season and finish outside of the top 25 is very possible. That doesn’t mean Mora should be anywhere close to the hot seat, but some will start to wonder about the Bruins’ ceiling under him.

Next: 16. South Florida wins 11 games

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